Yeongjuam Hermitage – 영주암 (Suyeong-gu, Busan)
Hermitage History
Yeongjuam Hermitage is located in Suyeong-gu, Busan in the southern foothills of Mt. Baesan (256.3 m). As for the name of the hermitage, it’s a transliteration of Mt. Yingzhou, or “Yeongjusan” in Korean. This legendary mountain in China was a place where Taoist Immortals (Sinseon) are said to have resided and practiced. So because of its picturesque location, Yeongjuam Hermitage is said to resemble Mt. Yingzhou.
Yeongjuam Hermitage was first founded in 1540, and it was originally nothing more than a cave. In 1850, a monk founded a hermitage on these grounds as a place to practice; however, neither its name nor its halls still exist. At this time, the location was simply known as the “Togok-jeol – 토곡절” after the surrounding area. Eventually, and during its reconstruction in 1940, the location was renamed Yeongjuam Hermitage. In 1972, the hermitage took its present form under the guidance of the monks Jeonggwan and Beomsan. At this time, the hermitage only consisted of a small meditation hall. In 1975, the two-story Daeung-jeon Hall was constructed. More recently, the hermitage has undergone more construction. And if you look from the heights of the Wontongbo-jeon Hall, you can see the Gwangan Bridge – 광안대교 off to the south in the distance. Yeongjuam Hermitage is one of the 982 traditional temples in Korea.
Hermitage Layout
You first approach Yeongjuam Hermitage up a lot of narrow Busan backstreets, until you eventually arrive at the hermitage grounds. Straight ahead of you is the two-story Daeung-jeon Hall. The first story looks like a residency of some sort, while the second story acts as the main hall. The exterior walls to the Daeung-jeon Hall are adorned in scenic Shimu-do (Ox-Herding Murals). Also, up near the roof of the main hall, you’ll find a manja symbol surrounded by peonies mural. Stepping inside the Daeung-jeon Hall, you’ll find a main altar occupied by a triad centred by Seokgamoni-bul (The Historical Buddha). This seated image is then joined on either side by standing images of Jijang-bosal (The Bodhisattva of the Afterlife) and Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Compassion). Also taking up residence inside the main hall is a Shinjung Taenghwa (Guardian Mural).
To the front right and left of the Daeung-jeon Hall is a meditation hall and an administrative office. To the right rear, on the other hand, is the Samseong-gak Hall. The exterior walls to the shaman shrine are adorned with murals dedicated to Chilseong and Dokseong. Stepping inside the Samseong-gak Hall, you’ll find a triad of reliefs inside. The central image is a golden relief dedicated to Chilseong (The Seven Stars). To the left is a colourful relief dedicated to Sanshin (The Mountain Spirit). And on the far right, you’ll find an equally vibrant relief dedicated to Dokseong (The Lonely Saint). As for the interior walls, they are adorned with murals of Bicheon (Flying Heavenly Deities).
To the right, and along a side-winding set of stairs, you’ll need to make your way up to the two-story Wontongbo-jeon Hall. This shrine hall is perched over top the rest of the hermitage grounds like a sentry. The first story, again, appears to be a residence. The second story acts as the Wontongbo-jeon Hall. The exterior walls are adorned in various Buddhist related murals like one of Podae-hwasang (The Hempen Bag), an all-white image of Gwanseeum-bosal, and clay jars covered in snow. Stepping inside the Wontongbo-jeon Hall, you’ll see a long main altar occupied by the thirty-three incarnations of Gwanseeum-bosal, including the thousand armed central image of the Bodhisattva of Compassion. On the far left wall is a large relief of a Shinjung Taenghwa (Guardian Mural), while on the far right wall is a Gamno-do (Sweet Dew Mural). The rest of the surfaces of the interior are filled with smaller sized murals of various Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, as well as larger murals of dragons, lotus flowers, and peonies. It’s also from the heights of the Wontongbo-jeon Hall that you’ll get great views of the Gwangan Bridge off in the distance.
How To Get There
From the “Baesan – 배산역” subway station on the third line, stop #303; and after going out exit #3, you’ll need to walk down “Busan 3-hoseon – 부산3호선” street for about 250 metres. You’ll then need to head north up “Yeonsu-ro 263-beongil – 연수로 263번길” road for about 200 metres, until you get to “Mangmibaesan-ro 76-beongagil – 망미배산로 76-번가길” street. You’ll need to hang a left at this road, until you eventually arrive at the temple grounds some 200 metres later. In total, the walk should take about 12 minutes, or 715 metres.
And if you’d rather not walk, or you have a mobility issue, you can simply take a taxi from the Baesan subway station. The taxi ride should take under 5 minutes, or about a kilometre, and it’ll cost you around 4,800 won (one way).
Overall Rating: 6/10
The views from the Wontongbo-jeon Hall are beautiful. The views compete with the interior of this stunning shrine hall, especially its interior. From the main altar statues to the murals that adorn its interior, the Wontongbo-jeon Hall is a beautiful shrine hall. Additionally, you can also enjoy the reliefs inside the Samseong-gak Hall, as well as the Shimu-do (Ox-Herding Murals) that adorn the exterior of the Daeung-jeon Hall. Yeongjuam Hermitage makes for a nice little break from bustling Busan, especially if you’re in the area.
